Ajit Doval’s Warning To BRICS Allies On Security Challenges: ‘Multilateralism Declining, Threats Growing’

Last Updated:June 23, 2026, 13:48 IST

NSA Doval said the international environment had become increasingly volatile and existing mechanisms were struggling to manage rising tensions.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday opened the 16th BRICS National Security Advisers’ Meeting with a warning over growing global instability, saying traditional international institutions are increasingly failing to address emerging security challenges.

Addressing senior security officials from across the expanded BRICS grouping, Doval said the world was passing through a period of intense uncertainty marked by military conflicts, economic pressures and technological disruptions.

‘We are meeting at a tumultuous time’

In his opening remarks, Doval said the international environment had become increasingly volatile and existing mechanisms were struggling to manage rising tensions.

“We are meeting at a very tumultuous time," Doval said.

“The world is beleaguered by military conflicts and complex security problems. It is facing geopolitical uncertainties, economic strains, and disruptive technology. Not only that the threats are compounding, but the instruments and institutional mechanisms are increasingly finding themselves to be inadequate to resolve or mitigate these conflicts. Multilateralism is on the decline," he said.

His remarks came as security officials from BRICS nations gathered to discuss global and regional challenges amid shifting geopolitical realities.

BRICS has a special role, says Doval

Doval highlighted the diverse nature of the grouping, noting that member countries come from different regions and bring varied experiences to the table.

“We are here from different continents, from different areas, and it’s a grouping where we bring with us very diverse experiences," he said.

According to Doval, the changing nature of global affairs gives BRICS an important responsibility in shaping responses to emerging challenges.

“We have got a very special role to play in this world, which appears to be in turmoil, a world which appears to be changing, a world in which the instruments of conflict resolutions are probably getting blunted. What role we as a grouping can play is a matter that is important for us to ponder," he added.

The National Security Advisor also recalled the original purpose behind the formation of BRICS.

He said the grouping was conceived as an informal platform of emerging economies aimed at promoting a more multipolar world order, strengthening economic cooperation and enhancing the voice of the Global South through reforms in global governance.

Focus shifts to new-age threats

The discussions at the New Delhi meeting focused heavily on non-traditional security risks that increasingly transcend national borders.

Doval stressed that member countries must recognise and respond to these evolving threats, which often bypass conventional defence and security systems.

“We need to be cognizant of the new security threats and challenges," he said.

“Non-traditional threats have transcended national borders and have developed defeat systems against conventional responses. Innovative disruptive technologies, more camouflaged variants of terrorism, cyber threats, in a world getting increasingly digitised—they all constitute an important threat for us."

His remarks underscored concerns about the growing influence of technology-driven threats and sophisticated forms of terrorism that are becoming harder to detect and counter.

Deliberations continue in New Delhi

The summit is being attended by top security and foreign policy officials from across the BRICS grouping.

Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu also arrived in New Delhi to participate in the meeting.

Delegates are expected to continue discussions on strengthening cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism and the security of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

The meeting is also reviewing joint frameworks aimed at addressing emerging security challenges and building a more resilient and multipolar security architecture.

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